Stop using judiciary as shield against AGC reform, Zaid tells PM
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has taken Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to task, urging him to hasten reforms in the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), rather than 'hide' behind the judiciary.
Anwar yesterday hit back at critics who blame him when defendants receive a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA). He said that such decisions are made by the judiciary and insists he cannot interfere in judicial matters.
However, this explanation appears to misrepresent the...
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Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Reforms slowed by lack of formal coalition agreement, say analysts
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads a unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The unity government would have been better placed to advance its reform agenda had it sealed a formal coalition pact akin to a blueprint drawn up in Germany eight years ago, two analysts said. Earlier this month, Senator Fuziah Salleh acknowledged that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, cobbled together after the 15th general election (GE 15) in 2022 turned up a hung Parliament, lacked a clear framework to implement reforms effectively. Speaking on BBC's World Questions podcast, she said that in hindsight, a formal coalition agreement, like the one used by Germany's grand coalition, might have helped the government quicken delivery of reforms and position itself better on policies. In 2017, Germany faced a hung parliament after no party secured a simple majority in the Bundestag, the country's lower house, to form a government on its own. Political parties then took nearly five months to negotiate and agree on a blueprint listing policies, including on foreign affairs, media reforms, environmental protection and social welfare, to serve as a guide while in office. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Awang Pawi agreed with Fuziah's remarks, saying that there was 'merit' in her 'critique'. He said Germany's coalition-building process took nearly five months to complete but resulted in a comprehensive document spanning more than 170 pages. 'An approach like Germany's could have worked in Malaysia if political actors prioritised national reform over narrow party interests,' he said, adding that a longer negotiation process might have helped the unity government align on shared goals. International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer Syaza Syukri agreed, noting that the unity coalition came together without clear agreements on policies, which has slowed reform efforts. 'The current government came together for the sake of forming an administration without putting much thought into its framework and agreements, besides how to share the spoils of power,' she told FMT. 'Had we a clearer blueprint, maybe it could have empowered Anwar to do more. Now, it seems like there's a constant need for negotiations, which is impeding his reform agenda.' However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara took a different view, saying that the perception that reforms and institutional changes promised by Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition have been slow was misplaced. He said the government's anti-corruption efforts were a 'strong start'. 'You have to start at the foundation to eradicate corruption, which has long plagued our civil institutions,' he said. Anwar was sworn in as the 10th prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, after a unity coalition was formed between PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan. PH leaders have previously said they were not in a position to deliver on all their election pledges due to the constraints of governing within a broad-based unity government. Anwar, for his part, has consistently defended the pace of reforms of his administration, saying that meaningful change takes time and must be pursued with wisdom and broad political support. He also pointed to the reality that PH's 82 MPs do not even make up a simple majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. Nonetheless, he said, with the support of all its coalition partners, the government has been able to push through impactful national programmes. 'You can't take things for granted (in the unity government). The process of negotiation, discussion and engagement is important,' said Anwar.
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Postpone expanded SST to January, urges ACCCIM
PETALING JAYA: The expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) should be deferred to January next year, starting with 4% for the first two years, says the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM). 'This will allow more time for adequate preparation, which is crucial for ensuring better compliance and smooth implementation,' it said. In a statement yesterday, the association said: 'Our concern is that multiple cost increases are coinciding with a challenging global and domestic economic environment. 'This is exacerbated by the uncertainty surrounding trade tariffs policy and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, which together create significant economic headwinds. 'The effects of rising costs, which have been felt in 2025, are expected to persist or influence the business and economic landscape in 2026.' Earlier this month, the Finance Ministry said the expanded SST will begin on July 1 when a sales tax of 5% to 10% would be imposed on certain non-essential goods. The service tax will also be expanded to include some financial services such as fund management, investment and merchant banking, and trade financing. However, the government has also announced several revisions such as the exemption of SST on selected fruits, higher threshold for rental and leasing services, and an exemption on selected beauty services. ACCCIM said yesterday that it had written to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to suggest a postponement of the expanded SST. 'We also asked that taxable services threshold registration to be raised higher to RM3mil for rental or leasing services, and construction services, and the threshold of exemption from paying tax for SME tenants be raised higher to RM2mil in annual sales,' it said.
Free Malaysia Today
20 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafizi's criticisms dragging PKR backwards, says report
Rafizi Ramli had resigned from the Cabinet after losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the race for the post of PKR deputy president. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The accusations levelled by former economy minister Rafizi Ramli at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are dragging PKR backward, says Berita Harian group editor Zulkifli Jalil. In a recent opinion piece, Zulkifli said that Rafizi, since resigning from the Cabinet, had seemed to be 'burning the mosquito net to kill the mosquito', using a Malay idiom to describe how the former minister's criticisms will harm the party's image. 'On Friday (June 20), Rafizi started his first podcast, 'Yang Berhenti Menteri', after his exit from the Cabinet. 'He is still making accusations. He likes to make his own conclusions and point fingers at the prime minister,' he said. Zulkifli criticised Rafizi for publicly going against PKR, pointing out that the party took 25 years to reach where it is today. 'Why burn the mosquito net to kill a mosquito? Rafizi's actions seem to be dragging PKR backward,' he said. Rafizi had resigned from the Cabinet after losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the race for the post of PKR deputy president. In his podcast, he said it was better for him to resign than to become a 'lame duck' minister or a 'yes man'. Rafizi claimed it was clear he had lost the prime minister's confidence, making it impossible to carry out reforms effectively. However, Zulkifli said Rafizi had been rash to resign, as he still had the support of the public despite losing party support. He pointed out that Rafizi had not been asked or pressured to resign, and the prime minister himself had asked him to stay. Zulkifli said there was no need for a minister to hold a party post, and that Rafizi had a good track record as economy minister with initiatives such as the People's Income Initiative, Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the 13th Malaysia Plan. He added that Rafizi should have calmed down and asked himself if resigning would have benefited the party. Zulkifli said winning and losing is common in politics. 'Politics is very dynamic. One cannot be petty in politics. A politician must resist criticism. He cannot be thin-skinned (telinga nipis),' he added.
